Helsinki want Hearts striker Juho for good

BARRY ANDERSON
FINNISH club HJK Helsinki want to negotiate a permanent deal with Hearts for Juho Makela if the striker recaptures the impressive form that prompted Vladimir Romanov to make him a £500,000 signing.
Makela returned to his homeland on a three-month loan yesterday hoping for a fresh start following two unremarkable years in Edinburgh. Antti Muurinen, the HJK coach, believes his potential can be realised at his former club.

Makela shot to prominence with HJK three years ago with 33 goals in 41 games in the Finnish Veikkausliiga, finishing the league's top scorer in 2005. Romanov spent £500,000 to bring him to Tynecastle in January 2006, however he has made just 19 appearances for Hearts in total, scoring five goals.

Muurinen coached the 24-year-old while in charge of the Finnish national side and remains a huge admirer. He believes a permanent return to HJK could kickstart the player's career. Makela's £4000-a-week basic salary would be difficult for HJK to match long-term but he may agree to a pay cut to facilitate a transfer.

HJK were due to announce Makela's homecoming at a press conference today. "Juho arrived in Finland yesterday. He will play striker for us and we hope to see many goals from him," Muurinen told the Evening News. "I hope he can be the same player as before, very fast and strong.

"At the moment the deal is three months. After that, we must wait. Last time he scored many goals for us and I would like to keep him here for a long time.

"I was national coach of Finland when Juho played in 2004. I know him and I know what he can do. He has not played for Hearts very much but he will play here." Makela began this season promisingly with a goal in Hearts' friendly defeat to Barcelona at Murrayfield, however a subsequent lack of opportunities led to him confronting interim manager Stephen Frail to plead for more first-team involvement.

The player believes returning to HJK can hone his match sharpness over the next three months. "I am pleased to get this opportunity as I really need to get games and score goals," said Makela.

"This move back home gives me that opportunity between now and the end of July."

The 2008 Veikkausliiga starts this weekend with HJK away to IFK Mariehamn on Monday evening.

Hearts remain short on striking options for this weekend's visit of Inverness to Tynecastle and Frail is expected to ask teenager Gary Glen to lead the attack in the absence of the injured Christian Nade.

The Frenchman suffered a cheek injury against St Mirren last week and his place in the squad will be taken by fit-again Calum Elliot.

"Nade is a major problem because of the concussion aspect of it so he is out," said Frail.

"The striking situation is something I'll need to think about because it would be hard for Gary to play up there on his own. I already have an idea of what I want to do tomorrow."

Taken from the Scotsman